Town Square

Candidate forum showcases different sides of Danville

Original post made
on Oct 9, 2012

The Danville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a forum for Town Council candidates last week, offering those in the business community an opportunity to hear a variety of views on the future of the town ahead of the Nov. 6 election.

Posted by SAVE OPEN SPACE
a resident of Los Cerros Middle School
on Oct 9, 2012 at 8:32 am

Attention Danville voters: To keep your open space from being converted to residential developments, vote for BOB NEALIS, JIM JELINCIC, AND DEANNA SULLIVAN. As you see from the Chamber of Commerce Forum, Bob, Jim, and Deanna ENDORSE the SOS-Danville group's INITIATIVE which is designed to stop the incumbent candidates Newell Arnerich and Mike Doyle and Planning Commissioner and candidate Renee Morgan, from continuing to deny the public its Measure S right to decide whether open space such as Elworthy Ranch and Magee Ranch can be converted to residential development.

Posted by architectural designer
a resident of Danville
on Oct 9, 2012 at 11:38 am

"Integrity" is a cornerstone of Renee Morgan's campaign for Danville Town Council. Perhaps she should include the term "doing whatever it takes to get your vote" as well.

Renee calls herself an Architectural Designer on the ballot. The title of Architectural Designer, like that of physician or lawyer or other profession, requires a specialized educational degree and a license that she simply does not have, and has admitted she does not have. Indeed, her campaign website says nothing about being an architectural designer. She obviously does not possess the integrity she touts on her campaign website, either. Such misleading if not fraudulent behavior does not belong anywhere near the Danville Town Council chambers.

Incumbent candidates for Danville Town Council Mayor Newell Arnerich and Mike Doyle have endorsed Renee's candidacy. They should do a better job of learning the true background of any candidate they openly endorse.

Danville deserves better: vote for Bob Nealis, Jim Jordon Jelincic, and Deanna Sullivan. They have respect for voters and the integrity of the ballot.

Posted by jrm
a resident of Vista Grande Elementary School
on Oct 9, 2012 at 12:52 pm

I also had noted the discrepancy, Ms Morgan will be best served by explaining the exagerrated credentials. I have a lot of regard for our town officials that have done so much to make this a wonderful place to live, and almost every Saturday you can find one of them at the Farmer's Market giving up family time on a Saturday morning to meet with their constituents. A big thank you!
I could not help but notice how our American flag seems to be prominently featured in most of their campaign signs this year. I like our flag as much as anybody but I have some to feel that the bigger the flag on the sign the more I examine the candidate in detail. This will be a spirited contest, the first time there is a viable slate of new candidates running against the incumbents in a very long time. Renee Morgan is touting her endorsements by Newell and Mike in her you-tube video. I am generally not a "one issue" voter but the incumbents better figure out soon there is prevailing opposition to Summerhill being built. One last thing, check out the huge sign for Nejedly to be elected to the Sanitation District wired to the fence around the Elworthy project. More on that later, can't the Nejedly kids get real jobs and pay their own benefits just like all the rest of us? STOP NEPOTISM in our obscure little known and rarely publicized elected offices with big fat benefits.

Although I believe our town officials have done a great job in the past, I am very troubled by the Summerhill project, and how that development will affect the incredible amount of traffic already in that area during school hours. I am also troubled by the fact that the two incumbents would not put that development to a vote by us residents. Finally, I am troubled that our two incumbents would endorse someone who is claiming a business title that she lacks.

This might be a great lesson in why term limits make sense, as the two incumbents, who in the past have done a great job, appear to be doing things lately that are not in our town's best interest.

I have not made up my mind, but unless I hear something contrary from the two incumbents, this will be the first election I do not vote for them.

Posted by Truth in Danville
a resident of Danville
on Oct 9, 2012 at 5:04 pm

Summerhill is barely an application and there are those who have made it the 800lb Gorilla in the room solely for political purposes. What about all that is Danville? Does this project, which is not even a development, define our town, our schools, our parks, our small town atmosphere and more importantly the reason we live here? It is obvious the only reason some candidates feed this gorilla is to receive bananas from a group of outsiders! Measure S was authored by our Council and never violated since adopted.
Perhaps you should stop accusing. I did review credentials and Renee Morgan does indeed hold a degree in Architectural Design Drafter and owned a successful business in Danville. The Council has done an excellent job as well as our Commissions on maintaining the INTEGRITY of Danville. Projects have been approved and unanimously supported by Danville residents for years. But now it is political season and the weather changes. Please tell us what have you done for Danville lately or for that matter at all?

Posted by truth in advertising
a resident of Danville
on Oct 9, 2012 at 6:59 pm

Here is the wikipedia definition of "architectural designer":

"An architectural designer is an architect that is primarily involved in the design of buildings or urban landscapes, as opposed to the construction documents and management required to construct it. Architectural designers have good creative skills, imagination and artistic talent. Although most students of architecture are trained to be designers in school, not all become designers in practice.

Non-registered designers are similar, but cannot legally refer to themselves as "architectural" designers in most parts of the world. Most are referred to as building designers, especially when not employed by an architectural firm. In the UK the term is often used by people who are not architects.

Many large architectural firms have architectural designers that set what the general public views as the "style" of the firm's projects. These firms may actually have groups of designers (design studios), often divided into their own separate niche markets (education, healthcare, housing, etc.) In smaller architectural firms, the architectural designers tend to remain involved with the project right through completion, and actually take an active role in documentation and management, sometimes to the point of supervising construction. It is worth noting that most "star" architects, that have become household names, are known because of their skill as architectural designers."

Renee Morgan has a diploma from Silicon Valley College (now defunct)in Architectural Design DRAFTING, as Truth in Danville points out. She should have stated that on her ballot designation, but instead is trying to mislead voters into thinking she is an architect. She cannot be trusted with Danville's government. Period.

Posted by conservative mom
a resident of Danville
on Oct 9, 2012 at 7:22 pm

Deanna Sullivan! Fiscal responsibility and honesty, and she considers the impact on all the constituents. Shame on Morgan for her dishonesty, and for Arnerich and Doyle for their endorsement in good ol' boy fashion. And for Doyle to say that he would use a (hypothetical) windfall for Measure D is overly political, and irresponsible.

Posted by concerned voter
a resident of Danville
on Oct 9, 2012 at 8:05 pm

One can simply not explain what appears to be a violation of campaign laws when Renee Morgan claims to be an "Architectural Designer" on her ballot designation when she is not! More than punishable by a fine, the concerned voters of Danville need to reject her fraud and ignore her attempt to gain a seat on the Council. Moreover, the two incumbents in the race have seen fit to endorse her. What were they thinking? Honesty in this race needs to be rewarded and complete falsehoods and those that support it must be rejected.

To "Truth in Danville": Do you have children who attend either Green Valley, Los Cerros, or Monte Vista? I do, and the traffic is unbelievable in this same area Summerhill plans to build all these homes. You are either an employee of Summerhill homes or connected to one of the incumbents who refuse to let the voters vote on this huge development that will not help anyone except the developer who wants to ruin this beautiful open space with all these new homes. It will also burden our overcrowded schools.

This issue is so important to so many people the incumbents will be voted out of office.

Posted by where is Renee
a resident of Danville
on Oct 9, 2012 at 8:55 pm

Obviously there is much concern over the question of Renee Morgan's credentials and her claim of being an "architectural designer". Assuming she cares about the truth and takes time to read these posts, then why don't we hear directly from her on this forum? It would be nice to have her explain the situation and clear up the question. Come on Renee, speak up and set us straight. Why are you allowing your ballot designation to state you are an Architectural Designer while your recent post on the Patch says drafter? Please speak up here and restore the real "integrity" to your campaign.

Posted by rule follower
a resident of Danville
on Oct 9, 2012 at 10:39 pm

Isn't there a rule limiting the placement of "yard signs" in places such as the corner of Sycamore and SRV Blvd? There are candidates who have many signs in places where they shouldn't be....and what do you know, the worst offenders are the incumbents and candidate Morgan who the incumbents have endorsed.

Posted by Proud of what Danville is Today
a resident of Danville
on Oct 10, 2012 at 8:00 am

Sounds like someone is threatened by Ms. Morgan. Finding anything to make her look bad. Ms. Morgan does have the best interest in Danville. All this has got blown out of proportion, and words got twisted to make the others looks better. (Like most political situations), Obviously, we love where we live, Newell and Doyle have made it that way and Morgan has done a lot more than the others can speak of. I sure don't want someone running my town with so much hate like Jelincic and Nealis. God forbid something doesn't go thier way!

Posted by Longtime Resident
a resident of Danville
on Oct 10, 2012 at 8:04 am

Drive down San Ramon Valley Blvd and witness the flatening of our hills to put up 88 homes. If we don't stop the present Town Counsel we will look like L.A. in no time....flat.
Elect new blood who wi8ll respect what the people of Danville want. 75% voted for Measure S for a reason.
I will be proud to sign the SOS Danville petition.

Posted by tired of developers
a resident of Danville
on Oct 10, 2012 at 9:32 am

Ask the present Town Council why they approved the Elworthy development (88) homes when The East Bay Regional Parks District asked them not to. No funds were provided for trail access to the open space, no funds were provided for parking. This originally was presented with equestrian facilities, trails, parking, etc. What did Danville get?....high density housing and more traffic.

Posted by Danville Quality
a resident of Danville
on Oct 10, 2012 at 10:15 am

The critical issues facing Danville today are not those it faced the last two decades. Retail incentive and pretty parks remain important. But the critical issue today is how the Town will manage growth now that it is at build-out. This is a new dynamic, so don't count on what you've seen in the past. Growth management, or lack of it, will have crucial effect on our "small town atmosphere, outstanding quality of life." Many streets and intersections (indeed, some arterials that are sole means of emergency ingress and egress) are at our well past capacity. Traffic matters.

Measure S was passed by Danville voters 3 to 1. It was supposed to prevent development of open space without a vote by residents. The incumbents Arnercih and Doyle, along with planning commissioner Morgan, have made sure that the developments get approved without that vote, in violation of Measure S. They're did it with Elworthy, they're doing ti again with SummerHill, and then they'll move on the the last remaining opens spaces near Greenbrook and El Capitan.

Bottom line, the incumbents and Morgan have shown how they will handle the new crucial issues for our Town: grease the skids of development and pack it in, voters rights be damned. THe alternative is Nealis, Jelincic and Sullivan, who have pleadged to support Measure S and the new ballot initiative designed to strengthen it.

, and facing enormous pressure from developers and

Measure S is a key law to protect Danville's little remaining open space

Posted by Mother and life long resident
a resident of Danville
on Oct 10, 2012 at 10:18 am

Reguardless of who wants what, I am glad they are building something there to take away from those trashy looking apartments/ townhomes. Nealis doesn't seem to be in this for the "Danville People" but only because his yard backs up to the property in construction. If he cares so much for Danville like he acts like he does, why have I never heard his name before? I agree with the comment above too, he just sounds like he is threatened.

Posted by "Young lady"
a resident of Danville
on Oct 10, 2012 at 10:39 am

If Measure S has been so effective, as suggested, why have the citizens of Danville never once voted on any development regarding any agricultural area or when a change of zoning was required? It appears that Measure S has been effective only for the developers.

We need a new voice in the community and a new and improved Measure S.

Posted by Tranquility in Danville
a resident of Danville
on Oct 10, 2012 at 12:05 pm

Words may get twisted, and one can argue that semantics may seem like petty stuff, but no one in public office should ever be afraid of the truth being revealed. Not even Ms Morgan.

As to how, Proud of what Danville is Today, made the leap from "someone is threatened" to Jelincic and Nealis have "so much hate" I'm still confused. When did they become the designated scapegoats for truth? Let's keep the discussion to facts rather than venomous conclusions.

Posted by concerned voter
a resident of Danville
on Oct 10, 2012 at 12:12 pm

It seems like this conversation has veered off track. The original subject focuses on one candidate who is fraudulently representing herself to have an advanced degree. The real question is; Is that the type of person we want representing us on the Council? Character must count and, in this case, against her.

Posted by Term Limits for Danville Council
a resident of Danville
on Oct 10, 2012 at 1:05 pm

Here is another reason not to vote for the incumbents Arnerich and Doyle, and their endorsee Renee Morgan. Here is an article from the Danville Patch:

"Moody's Could Downgrade Danville's Credit Rating

A downgrade for Danville would increase borrowing costs and could make it more difficult to borrow for infrastructure projects.
The Town of Danville is one of the 30 California municipalities that could see its credit rating downgraded by one of the nation's leading credit rating agencies, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.

The agency is Moody's Investors Service, which plans to scrutinize various types of bonds in the cities. The agency rates 95 California cities.

A downgrade for Danville would increase borrowing costs and could make it more difficult to borrow for infrastructure projects.

In a statement, Eric Hoffmann, who heads Moody's California local government ratings team, said:

"California cities operate under more rigid revenue raising constraints than cities in many other parts of the country. Combined with steeply rising costs, these constraints mean that these cities will likely recover more slowly than their peers nationally, even if the state's economic recovery tracks the nation's."

See Righties and Lefties (poster Dean excepted), when you aren't plastered to the television watching Fox, MSN, or Honey Boo Boo we can indeed all work together to get something done!
A few questions though, to certain posters above:

-to "Mother and life long resident", can you please explain how trashing another hillside ala K.B. Homes is going to somehow diminish the ugliness of the ancient Livery townhomes? A development that was in place long before most of us lived in Danville? By your logic, we could build a mini Walmart on top of Country Waffles to hide the ugly three story office building behind it, eh?

-to "Dean", what are you, 13? If one doesn't vote for your scumbag, they must not be 'mericuns (as Dubya used to say)? Most of us don't care what their party affiliation is; we just want them to stop aiding & abetting developers.

-to "Truth in Danville", are you oblivious to Ellworthy, or to other unsightly projects that have popped up recently in our town - like my fave: That hideous second story addition built onto the back of the house on Railroad at Prospect? What idiots approved this eyesore? And Summerhill is a bit further along the process than you believe. Don't be naive.

-to "Proud of what Danville is Today", I ask what Tranquility asked - where do you draw your bizarre conclusions from?

-and to "old guy", most of us assume that the city flacks have already been engaged in wrong doing. I've asked before and I will ask again, why would any Danville resident want to take action that ugly's up our town? It is not a rhetorical question either.
"Danville Quality" mentions the incumbents greasing the skids of development, but I am more concerned if there has been greasing of palms in the other direction. Many of you are concerned with Renee's degree specifics. One might better ask where the Mercedes and Range Rovers come from - and the 1.6Mil house. Not accusing, just scientifically curious.

Posted by The REAL truth
a resident of Danville
on Oct 10, 2012 at 7:25 pm

@Truth in Danville: Following is the truth: Measure S was authored by Danville Town Council in 2000 to DEFEAT a much more strict CITIZENS' initiative called Measure R (ever clever, the Council called Measure S an "initiative", when it was actually a COUNCIL measure to defeat a true initiative). Newell Arnerich and Mike Doyle were on the Council then.

Not satisfied with defeating the strict Measure R, and imposing their weaker Measure S on the public, Newell and Mike are illegally watering down Measure S even more by refusing to apply it to Elworthy Ranch and the proposed Magee Ranch, and future similar projects. Vote them, and their lackey Renee Morgan, OUT!

Posted by Imposter patrol
a resident of Danville
on Oct 11, 2012 at 10:01 pm

As of August 16, when I looked up Renee Morgan and the other candidates for Town Council, Renee had a linked in profile as follows:Web Link. It said she was a realtor at Keller Williams realty in Danville and had in the past worked for developers. Now the link is broken and Renee says she is an "architectural designer" on the ballot, and says nothing about being either a realtor or an architect on her campaign website. Will the real Renee Morgan please stand up???

Posted by this is funny
a resident of Monte Vista High School
on Oct 12, 2012 at 12:52 pm

People actually feel the need to write on here? If you want your voice heard or you have questions why don't you contact the person directly? For a minute I was actually excited to graduate high school this year, but now it looks like there is no hope... You adults are worse then high school drama... Just by reading what is above is very obvious, there is probably 4 people acting as other people but writing the same thing.. HAHA do you people have a life? So my choices for town council is a ice cream man or a planning commissioner.... I will definitely be doing my own research....

Posted by voter election guide
a resident of Danville
on Oct 15, 2012 at 8:43 am

Let's look at the candidates for office:

Mike Doyle---took a $750 contribution from Shapell Homes, a major homebuilder that owns large tracts of property in the Camino Tassajara Valley; denied a legally mandated public vote on Elworthy Ranch's conversion to a KB Homes subdivision; plans to deny a legally mandated public vote on conversion of Magee Ranch to a SummerHillHomes subdivision, and other future conversions of Agricultural land to residential subdivisions; irresponsibly endorsed Renee Morgan for Council.

Renee Morgan---irresponsibly endorsed by Newell Arnerich and Mike Doyle; misrepresented her profession on the ballot as being an "architectural designer" when she is definitely not an arch. designer, and her recent LinkedIn (now erased) said she is a realtor and former developer employee; as a Danville Planning Commissioner, she denied the legally mandated public vote on the Elworthy Ranch development, and stated she plans to deny it on the Magee Ranch SummerHill Homes development, and future such developments.

Newell Arnerich--- architect that irresponsibly endorsed Renee Morgan, who falsely claims to be an architectural designer on the ballot; denied a public vote on Elworthy Ranch, now another KB Homes subdivision; plans to deny a public vote on SummerHill Homes' proposal and other future conversions of Agricultural land to residential subdivisions.

Bob Nealis, Jim Jelincic, and Deanna Sullivan---receiving no developer contributions; have state publically that conversions of Open Space such as Ag. land to residential requires a public vote.

I proudly display the campaign signs of Arnerich, Doyle & Morgan in my front yard. I love the quality of life in Danville & I support candidates that know what they are talking about. Thank you Arnerich, Doyle & Morgan for your service to Danville, you have my full support.

Posted by no more dougherty valleys
a resident of Danville
on Oct 15, 2012 at 9:21 am

Shapell Homes owns lots of land in the Camino Tassajara Valley. They undoubtedly have plans to develop it and they want Mike Doyle to go along, despite the traffic that would inundate the Tassajara/Sycamore corridor, the Diablo Road corridor, and the Crow Canyon corridor. Shapell wants the CT Valley to be the next Dougherty Valley.